Explore this unique part of the northern Great Basin in remote southeast Oregon, while studying its bounty of spectacular wildflowers and associated butterflies. Amid this beautiful landscape, enjoy the fertile marshlands of the Malheur refuge, meet fascinating inhabitants of this vast high desert and join expert-led discussions and identification reviews in classrooms and museums.

Highlights

• Experience life zones from desert basin to alpine tundra.• During your adventure, discover regional riches of birdlife, geology and cultural history.• Learn to understand climate, plant forms and animal communities as they adapt to the 5,000 feet of altitudinal change found within 50 miles of your base.

Activity Particulars

Short hikes over uneven terrain, possible extended periods of standing while wildlife-watching. Elevations of 4,200 feet.

So you can get the most out of your experience, all of our birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1.

Coordinated by Malheur Field Station.

Malheur Nat'l Wildlife Refuge

Marshlands, desert basins and the magnificent Steens Mountain are just a few of the natural highlights of this refuge in the Great Basin of southeast Oregon, providing a variety of habitats for more than 400 species of birds and mammals.

Meals and Lodgings

Malheur Field Station

Malheur Field Station, Harney County, Oregon

6 nights

Malheur Field Station

Type:

Field Station

Description:

The Malheur Field Station (MFS) is an education and research facility located on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. For over thirty-five years MFS has served as a base for students, researchers, and visitors learning about and exploring this remote area rich in wildlife, rugged beauty, and cultural history. MFS originally was a Job Corps site, but in the early 1970's it was converted into a unique educational facility overseen by a consortium of colleges. Today it is run by The Great Basin Society, Inc., a not-for-profit educational organization. Highly qualified staff have lived on site for over twelve years.

Field Station facilities that will/may be used by program participants include the Road Scholar dormitory (solar-heated water system, air-conditioned), classrooms, a unique Bookshop (sundries, a wide range of books/fieldguides, local artwork), an audio-visual room (air-conditioned), a reference Library, Natural History museum, laundry facilities, and a wonderful dining hall (nutritious meals, air-conditioned),

Variable: please contact MFS Contact the Malheur Field Station for details about our various accommodation options and their corresponding availability and cost.

Check in time:

3:00 PM

Additional nights after:

Variable: please contact MFS Contact the Malheur Field Station for details about our various accommodation options and their corresponding availability and cost.

Check out time:

12:00 PM

Travel Details

Start
of Program:
Malheur Field Station; Check-in time 3:00-5:00 pm. (Main office, Malcolm Hall) You will be staying at Malheur Field Station that night.

End
of Program:
Malheur Field Station; Depart after breakfast. You will be staying at Malheur Field Station the night before.

Required
documents:
The Participant Information Form is required.

Parking
availability:
On site parking (free).

Transportation

To
Start of Program

Location:

Malheur Field Station, Harney County, Oregon

Nearest
city or town:

Burns, Oregon

Nearest
highway:

Hwy 205 and/or Hwy 78

Nearest
airport:

Bend, Oregon

From
End of Program

Location:

Malheur Field Station, Harney County, Oregon

(Additional
transportation information
same as above)

Travel Details

Service:

None - Car Required

Limited bus routes to Burns from surrounding cities and towns. Please check bus lines for current information or contact the Malheur Field Station for further advice (e.g. car-pool requests).

Driving
Directions

Burns, Oregon

Take Route 78 east (signed to Winnemuca, NV) out of Burns. Shortly after leaving town, look for a right hand turn onto Highway 205 (signed to Frenchglen). Travel south on Highway 205 for just over 23 miles, then turn left (east) onto Sodhouse Lane. Proceed three miles and turn right (south) onto a gravel road at the MFS sign and mailbox. The Field Station is situated between two buttes about 1.3 miles down this road. Please drive slowly and watch out for children and wildlife.

Elevation Note: Elevations range from 4200' to 9000'.

Equipment Requirements: Bring your Binoculars!

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

(Tuesday, June 24)

Arrive To:

Please plan to arrive at the Malheur Field Station after 3:00 pm.
Check-in time 3:00-5:00 pm. (Main office, Malcolm Hall)
Site orientation at 5:30 pm.

Dinner:

We will dine at the Malheur Field Station itself or sample local restaurant cuisine.

Evening:

Ice-breaker, General Introduction to Great Basin Country,
and review of specific Program Itinerary.
THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE, BEING DEPENDENT UPON THE WEATHER AND WILDLIFE ACTIVITY, WILL BE KEPT FLEXIBLE.

Full or Continental breakfast options depending on daily activity schedule.
Also prepare custom sack lunches during this time.

Morning:

Some days will offer pre-breakfast, optional activities such as botanizing/sunrise birding. Post-breakfast; promptly prepare for field trip; possiblities include exploring southern section of MNWR.

Lunch:

Lunch in the field somewhere wonderful.

Dinner:

We will dine at the Malheur Field Station itself or sample local restaurant cuisine.

Evening:

Evening activities include daily reviews, possible labwork (identification), and/or a lecture/presentation. Topics could include biology and ecology basics, conservation, identification or other customized program of current interest. Some evenings may include free time or an optional field trip.

Full or Continental breakfast options depending on daily activity schedule.
Also prepare custom sack lunches during this time.

Morning:

Some days will offer pre-breakfast, optional activities such as botanizing/sunrise birding. Post-breakfast; promptly prepare for field trip; possiblities include exploring southern section of MNWR.

Lunch:

Lunch in the field somewhere interesting.

Dinner:

We will dine at the Malheur Field Station itself or sample local restaurant cuisine.

Evening:

Evening activities include daily reviews, possible labwork (identification), and/or a lecture/presentation. Topics could include biology and ecology basics, conservation, identification or other customized program of current interest. Some evenings may include free time or an optional short field trip.

Full or Continental breakfast options depending on daily activity schedule.
Also prepare custom sack lunches during this time.

Morning:

Some days will offer pre-breakfast, optional activities such as botanizing/sunrise birding. Post-breakfast; promptly prepare for field trip; possiblities include exploring southern section of MNWR.

Lunch:

Lunch in the field in the perfect spot.

Dinner:

We will dine at the Malheur Field Station itself or sample local restaurant cuisine.

Evening:

Evening activities include, daily review, possible labwork (identification), and/or a lecture/presentation. Topics could include biology and ecology basics, conservation, identification or other customized program of current interest. Some evenings may include free time or an optional short field trip.

Full or continental breakfast options depending on daily activity schedule.
Also prepare custom sack lunches during this time.

Morning:

Some days will offer pre-breakfast optional activity such as sunrise birding/botanizing/butterfly watching. Post-breakfast; promptly prepare for field trip as we explore the spectacular surrounding area.

Lunch:

Lunch in the field somewhere satisfying.

Dinner:

We will dine at the Malheur Field Station itself or sample local restaurant cuisine.

Evening:

Evening activities include, daily review, possible labwork (identification), and/or a lecture/presentation. Topics could include biology and ecology basics, conservation, identification or other customized program of current interest. Some evenings may include free time or an optional short field trip.

Full or continental breakfast options depending on departure plan schedule; also prepare custom sack lunches during this time (optional).

Morning:

Prepare to depart. Program ends after breakfast.

Meals
Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities

Malheur Field Station, Harney County, Oregon

Free timeThis area is vast and wildly inspirational. We would be happy to provide participants suggestions regarding local outdoor recreational activities and/or educational opportunities in the sciences and arts for any of their free time before, during or after their Road Scholar adventure at the Malheur Field Station

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

What’s included in this Road Scholar program?

Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.

Experienced Group Leaders attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.

Expert-led field trips and excursions and hands-on activities.

Comfortable, often exceptional, accommodations.

All meals (except where noted).

Group transportation throughout the program.

Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.